Thermal Effusivity Analyzer

THIS IS A NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT AND IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE QUOTES.

The USDA/ARS intends to award a Firm fixed price sole source contract under the authority of 41 U.S.C 253(c)(1) and FAR 6.302-1(a)(2), only one responsible source, to:

C-Therm Technologies Ltd
494 Queen St.
Frederiction, NB, E3B 1B6, Canada

Description of Requirement: The objective of this sole source award is to procure the following items:

Thermal Effusivity Analyzer (ASTM D7984)
• It should measure thermal effusivity and thermal conductivity of fabric/textiles directly.
• It should conform to ASTM D7984.
• Thermal Effusivity Range: 5 to 1,600 Ws½/m²K, ability to add up to 19,500 Ws½/m²K.
• Thermal Conductivity Range: 0.025 to 0.65 W/mK; ability to add up to 500 W/mK.
• It can be used for testing unlimited sample size and unlimited sample thickness.
• It should not require any sample preparation.
• It should use non-destructive method.
• It should use test method: Modified Transient Plane Source (MTPS) with Guard Ring.
• It should require only a single side of the sample for measurement; double-sided method is not permitted.
• The sensor should be factory calibrated; it should not need developing of any timing or power parameters.
• Sensor Element: should be stainless steel housing, alumina substrate, active sensing component should be made of platinum alloy, and coated with dielectric glass, must be 17mm in diameter.
• It should have the ability to instantaneously monitor ambient temperature.
• Due to sample compatibility issues: Teflon, Mica or Kapton-coated (or polyimide substitutes) materials are NOT permissible as materials of construction to sensor.
• The sensor should be able to operate in various environments, including thermal chambers, high pressure vessels and glove boxes.
• Test Time: 0.8 to 2 seconds
• Maximum Sample Testing Size: unlimited
• Minimum Sample Testing Size: 17 mm
• Maximum Thickness: unlimited
• Minimum Thickness: 0.5 mm
• Precision: better than 1%
• Accuracy: better than 5%
• It should be supplied with windows-based software. Easy export to Microsoft Excel.
• It should be supplied with constant pressure applicator as described in ASTM D7984.
• It should be supplied with calibration reference material Polyfelt.
• It should have the ability to be upgraded in the future with the following options: to be used in testing at non-ambient temperature from -50 to 200 DegC, to be used in testing under controlled pressure environments up to 2000 PSI, thermal conductivity measurements between 0 to 500 W/mK, thermal effusivity measurements between 0 to 19,500 Ws½/m²K ability to be connected to dilatometer for thermal expansion and shrinkage measurements

The NAICS code for this requirement is 334516; the small business size standard is 1250 employees.

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotes; however, interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement. All information received by 3:00 PM Central Time on August 1, 2019, will be considered by the Government. Responses shall be submitted to Lynn Hults at lynn.hults@ars.usda.gov.

The e-mail subject line shall state: 12405B19P-970795 Notice of Intent to Sole Source. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.

NO TELEPHONE REQUESTS WILL BE HONORED.

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